Dissecting a Swarm

[2Sox]

GREAT original post, Ben. Thanks. Love the idea of a pool pole! I?ve been using two pieces of PVC pipe that fit into each other that can telescope, but it?s very heavy. The weight of a pool pole is about 1.5 pounds and that makes a difference! I?m going to get one.

A suggestion for when you shake the bees out on the ground: I use an old polyester shower curtain liner on the ground under any swarm catch I go to.  If a bunch falls on the ground it?s easier for them to take off or I just shake them into the air.

[Ben Framed]

Thanks 2Sox 😊

[Ben Framed]

Adding, be sure to have a roll of electrical tape handy as well. A few wrap arounds along the pole, here and there securing the hose to the pole, prevents hose/pole separation which can seem to get quite heavy if you have to retrieve your bees 🐝 at an angle. Maybe one every 3 or 4 feet. Quick and easy as the tape is easy to break by hand after a couple wraps and on to the next spot.

[2Sox]

Adding, be sure to have a roll of electrical tape handy as well. A few wrap arounds along the pole, here and there securing the hose to the pole, prevents hose/pole separation which can seem to get quite heavy if you have to retrieve your bees 🐝 at an angle. Maybe one every 3 or 4 feet. Quick and easy as the tape is easy to break by hand after a couple wraps and on to the next spot.

Yes, I?m a fan of blue painters tape. Very strong, easy to remove and will not leave a sticky residue

[Ben Framed]

Adding, be sure to have a roll of electrical tape handy as well. A few wrap arounds along the pole, here and there securing the hose to the pole, prevents hose/pole separation which can seem to get quite heavy if you have to retrieve your bees 🐝 at an angle. Maybe one every 3 or 4 feet. Quick and easy as the tape is easy to break by hand after a couple wraps and on to the next spot.

Yes, I?m a fan of blue painters tape. Very strong, easy to remove and will not leave a sticky residue

Thanks I?ll try it next time!

[Ben Framed]

It is getting closer to swarm season in my area. I thought of this topic while discussing Swarm Catching Methods on another topic. I am renewing this discussion for any who may be interested.

Phillip

[doug494]

If you find multiples can you tell the old queen from the virgin queens?


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[BeeMaster2]

Virgin queens have smaller abdomens than mated ones. Normally if there are more than one queen in a swarm, then all of the queens will bee virgins.
The exception is when 2 different hives swarm at the same time and one is a primary and one is a secondary.
Jim Altmiller

[Ben Framed]

Doug it is rewarding and even kind of fun when finding more than one queen. It also helps sharpen our queen spotting skills.

Phillip

[BeeMaster2]

Here is a picture of a very small swarm that a firefighter friend, Paula, found in a tree in front of the Macclenny firehouse. She was fascinated with it. I told her about the scout bees dancing how they decide where they are going to build their hive. Later that night she took this picture. I told her that I have never seen a queen on a swarm.

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Jim Altmiller

[doug494]

Virgin queens have smaller abdomens than mated ones. Normally if there are more than one queen in a swarm, then all of the queens will bee virgins.
The exception is when 2 different hives swarm at the same time and one is a primary and one is a secondary.
Jim Altmiller

That's what I was wondering.  Since an old queen will slim down for the swarm flight is she distinguishable from a virgin.

But if multiple queens are normally all virgin that is good to know.

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